What is formed when white light is dispersed into its component colors?

When white light passes through a prism or any medium that can bend light, it is separated into its component colors, which create a beautiful display known as a spectrum. This occurs because different colors of light have different wavelengths and are refracted at slightly different angles as they travel through the material.

The resulting spectrum typically includes the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, arranged in order of their wavelengths. This phenomenon is a clear demonstration of how light can be broken down into its fundamental properties, allowing for a deeper understanding of both light and color.

The term "spectrum" encompasses this range of colors and is critical in various fields, including physics, art, and even meteorology, where the spectrum can inform us about the composition of light from celestial bodies.